European field tests with HISTKOM telepathology equipment.

HISTKOM telemicroscopy equipment for telepathology is designed for the most challenging application in telepathology: intraoperational frozen section diagnosis. Adapted to this application, it is also excellently suited for all other telepathology modes requesting less sophisticated equipment. The technical concept and user interface are oriented to routine daily pathology. HISTKOM underwent heavy field-tests at several locations. The field-tests designs and the results of five of these are reported in this paper. Telepathology will exploit its advantages in networks hosting participants requesting and offering services. The solution of the interoperability problem caused by different equipment from different suppliers within such a network will be a major task, the solution for which is in progress. The new generation of HISTKOM equipment and software is designed in a modularized concept, allowing the integration of various hardware components from different manufacturers; thus special configurations can be realized easily. HISTKOM is offered as complete turnkey system, but can also be installed in yet existing configurations of the customer if they meet specifications.